Mert Can Rador, Çagla Çiçek
Turkish Journal of Plastic Surgery - 2025;33(4):181-187
introduction A specialization thesis - also known as residency thesis, specialization dissertation-is an academic requirement for completing postgraduate medical training in certain healthcare systems, including Turkey.[1] The specialization thesis constitutes a vital academic requirement for medical residents in Turkey, signifying the culmination of their training through scientific inquiry and critical analysis. It serves as a formal demonstration of a resident's ability to contribute to their specialty beyond clinical competence. Alongside a successful thesis defense, candidates must also pass the national specialization examination, a comprehensive assessment that evaluates both theoretical and practical proficiency.[2] Typically, thesis topics are assigned in the final 2 years of residency, and the completed work must be submitted at least 3 months prior to graduation. A successful thesis defence is mandatory for taking the national specialization examination.[2] These requirements reflect the integrated nature of medical training in Turkey, which balances academic rigor with demanding clinical service. Residency training in Turkey involves intense workloads, limited time, and emotional stress, all of which may hinder residents from engaging fully in scientific research. Despite these challenges, the specialization thesis remains a fundamental element of postgraduate education, promoting Background: In Turkey, submitting a specialization thesis is a mandatory component of medical residency training. This study aims to determine the publication rates of plastic surgery residents' theses and to identify key factors influencing their scientific dissemination. Aims: By highlighting challenges and opportunities in this process, we aim to offer guidance to future residents with their academic voyage. This is the first study to evaluate the academic trajectory of plastic and reconstructive surgery theses. Study Design: This study is a retrospective, descriptive bibliometric analysis that examines the characteristics and publication outcomes of specialization theses in plastic and reconstructive surgery submitted in Turkey between 2008 and 2021. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the National Thesis Center database for plastic, reconstructive, and esthetic surgery theses submitted between 2008 and 2021. In phase one, data were collected on each thesis' publication status, author gender, affiliated institution, supervisor's title, topic, study design, discussion length, and reference count. In phase two, corresponding publications were examined for language, journal scope, open-access status, impact factor, indexing status, authorship position, number of co-authors, author's academic title at publication, citation count, and time from thesis defense to publication. Results: A total of 660 theses were analyzed. The overall publication rate was 40.5%, with 75.65% of publications occurring within 5 years. 68.5% of published articles appeared in SCI/Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)-indexed journals. Experimental studies showed higher publication rates and greater SCIE representation than clinical studies. Conclusions: Regardless of thesis length, topic, or institution, the commitment of both the resident and the supervisor ultimately shapes its academic value.
